I managed a few hours on the resonator today (sneaked off work early to catch some daylight)
I fitted the 3mm aluminium plate back with screws. (still with protective cover in picture) I test fitted the neck pickup (temp red mount) I fitted only one of the round grilles, and only then because I felt that an opening was necessary to allow equalisation of pressure for the resonator?? I test fitted the Musicman control plate (not as good a fit as I had hoped)
I have assembled and test strung which has revealed some issues to address
1 The long string length from tail to bridge needs damping, there is so much resonance that these parts of the strings all vibrate together when any note is played.
2 The action is too high in my lowest bridge setting so some trimming will be necessary.
3 String trees will be needed
4 For open tuning I will make a brass nut
5 The bridge springs need attention, due to the high level of resonance/vibration it shows up weak springs and rocking saddles
6 When I lower the bridge I may have an issue with the break angle to the tail piece, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it
Some good things! the sound is very nice and is loud acoustically even though this is a solid body, incidentally, no sound seems to come out of the grill, all volume is projected from the disc. Backing off the tension screw gives a wonderful acoustic fuzz box sound! With the the tail strings damped, the sound is crystal clear and bright even though I have used relatively light EB 10-46 strings. The intonation will be ok once I get the strings a bit closer at the twelfth fret. It is a heavy b****r but actually seems manageable. The structure seems solid and braced by the back plate and the top disc I think it will be ok. So plenty still to do but moving forward ok
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